Written by billythekid
Against all the odds at Stamford Bridge, the Cherries went into the game with their ‘backs to the wall’. Added to the situation was when the teams were announced another two names were missing, Arnaut Danjuma and Harry Wilson, a blow to Eddie Howe’s selection problems. As we know with Eddie, he just gets on with the hand dealt him without complaint. He did have the welcome return of Josh King to lead the line. The team played out of their skins to keep Chelsea at bay and towards the end ‘lady luck’ was with the Cherries as they scored the only goal of the game from Dan Gosling making a return in midfield for his first start of the season although he had made a few substitute appearances, Dan Gosling played the whole game. This was a great win and 3 important points for AFCB.
AFCB v Burnley
AFCB Win
Draw
Burnley Win
The next game is back home at Dean Court with the visit of Burnley. Burnley manager Sean Dyche has been at Burnley nearly as long as Eddie has in his second term at Dean Court after returning from Burnley where he was the manager. Sean Dyche took on the job 18 days later. Burnley signed a number of players in the Summer. Returning to Burnley, where he started his career, was striker Jay Rodriguez who signed from West Brom for £10 million. Goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell from Leeds for an undisclosed fee. Also on an undisclosed fee was defender Erik Pieters from Stoke City and on loan until January from Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater.
Burnley’s home form has been better than their away form. At home in their 9 games, they have picked up 15 points in all wins. Away in the 8 played so far they have picked up 6 points, 1 win and three draws. Seeing as Burnley are away will feature more on those results. Their win was on the 23rd November against bottom club Watford, goals from Wood, Barnes and Tarkowski gave Burnley a 0-3 victory. As it turned out this was to be the last home game in charge for manager Enrique Sanchez Flores, who had only been reappointed to the club in September after previously being in charge once before for the 2015-16 season, the season they were automatically promoted to the Premier League and pipped for the Championship title by AFCB who entered the top league for the first time. Burnley’s three draws were at Wolves finishing 1-1, Barnes scoring. Brighton 1-1, Hendrick scoring and Aston Villa 2-2, Rodriguez and Wood the scorers. The four defeats came at Arsenal 2-1, Barnes scoring, Leicester City 2-1, Wood scoring, Sheffield United 3-0 and the heaviest defeat so far 5-0 against Spurs. At home, they have won five, against Southampton, Norwich City, Everton, West Ham and in their last game Newcastle United. Four defeats, Liverpool, Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Manchester City.
The record between Eddie Howe and Sean Dyche since they were appointed managers of their clubs in October 2012. The first encounter was in the 2013-14 season in the Championship, both home and away games ended 1-1, Burnley were promoted to the Premier League for the 2014-15 season, it lasted one season before they were relegated again. The season 2015-16 saw the two clubs swap leagues, AFCB were promoted to the PL, while Burnley returned for a season to the Championship before being promoted again. The two managers didn’t meet again until the 2016-17 season in the Premier League, the first game was at Turf Moor, Burnley won 3-2. The game at Dean Court, AFCB won 2-1. 2017-18 season both sides won 1-2 at each others ground. First at Dean Court and then at Turf Moor. 2018-19 season Burnley won both games, at Turf Moor 4-0 and at Dean Court 1-3. So going into the game at Dean Court on Saturday, Sean Dyche has the edge in results on our Eddie. In all our home league games against Burnley, AFCB have Won 5, Drawn 4 and Lost 4. In all competitions, AFCB have Won 6, Drawn 11 and Lost 13.
AFCB Team News
Doubts over both Callum Wilson thigh injury and Josh King with a muscular injury. Otherwise, the other seven we know about are not available.
AFCB Player To Watch
With the need to penetrate the Burnley defence and if both King and Wilson missing, it probably will come down to our wingers, Ryan Fraser and if he continues the role at Chelsea, Lewis Cook. Ryan Fraser had an improved performance at Chelsea and hopefully, we will see more of the player of last season. In midfield, Jefferson Lerma can always be relied upon and he had a great game at Stamford Bridge.
Burnley Team News
Johann Berg Gudmundsson will probably miss the game with a thigh injury. Ben Gibson aggravated a groin injury before the Newcastle United game but might be available for Saturday. Likewise for Charlie Taylor thigh injury and Kevin Long hip injury.
Burnley Player To Watch
Chris Wood their New Zealand striker, has scored on each visit to Dean Court and is their leading scorer with 7. He was also MOM earlier this year at Dean Court. Another player is young left-winger Dwight McNeil, strong all-round player and has four assists this season, one for our defence to watch.
Martin Atkinson is the referee. Had him for our away win at Villa and in our away defeats at Arsenal and Newcastle. I thought he was poor in the recent televised game between Saints and the Hammers.
